Bringing Smiles to the Community — Create Conway Unveils New Downtown Mural
This past weekend, Create Conway brought color, creativity, and community spirit to the heart of Downtown Conway with the unveiling of a brand-new mural. The vibrant smiley face mural created by renowned L.A. muralist, Jimmy Pierce aka Jimmy Paintz, is now along the wall of B & H Shoe Repair. The art is more than just a splash of paint—it’s a celebration of Conway’s community pride, the power of public art, and the importance of community health.
Although Jimmy Paintz is now located in Los Angeles, his story begins right here in Conway. A Conway native, Jimmy returned to his roots for this special project—not just to share his talent, but to leave a lasting mark on the town that raised him. In fact, the mural holds special significance to him, as it’s dedicated in memory of his parents, who had long called Conway home.
The mural came to life thanks to a partnership between Create Conway and Conway Downtown Partnership, who awarded the nonprofit a Downtown Revitalization Grant to cover the cost of supplies. The result is a joyful, large-scale smiley face mural that adds a pop of personality to the cityscape while honoring both Jimmy’s journey and the town’s creative future.
To celebrate the mural’s reveal, Create Conway hosted a Mural Launch Party that transformed the vacant lot next to the mural into a hub of art and activity. Guests enjoyed music, fun coloring sheets for kids, and a variety of delicious bites from Las Delicias. One of the day’s highlights was the opportunity to meet Jimmy Paintz himself, who spent the afternoon chatting with community members, signing memorabilia, and sharing insights about his artistic process.
In addition to promoting public art, the event also focused on another important theme: oral health. With the help of a mini grant from Delta Dental of Arkansas, Create Conway handed out free toothbrushes and shared tips on maintaining a healthy smile. Monarch Dental and Orthodontics of Conway generously contributed by giving away oral care kits, making the event a celebration of both visual and dental health. After all, what better way to honor a smiley face mural than by encouraging real-life smiles in the community?
The mural celebration also kicked off Create Conway’s Selfie Contest, encouraging locals and visitors to take selfies in front of the mural, post them on social media, and tag Create Conway for a chance to win fun prizes. The contest has already begun to get more people engaged with public art around Conway.
